Workshop on Entrepreneurship Development Under National Livestock Mission Held in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development towards fostering entrepreneurship in the livestock sector, the Fisheries & Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department of the Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, organized a workshop on entrepreneurship development under the National Livestock Mission (NLM). The event, held at the Convention Centre, Lokaseva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, aimed to provide support to entrepreneurs in establishing Animal Husbandry units through credit linkage facilitated by banks.

Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary, F&ARD, Suresh Kumar Vashishth, highlighted the objectives of the National Livestock Mission, launched during 2014-15, focusing on sustainable and continuous growth in the livestock sector. The mission strives to create livelihood opportunities by promoting entrepreneurship development and breed improvement in rural poultry, sheep, goat, and piggery, including feed and fodder development.

Under the NLM, there is a provision for a 50% subsidy for the establishment of various livestock-related ventures, such as poultry farms with hatcheries and brooder mother units, sheep and goat breed multiplication farms, piggery farms, and feed and fodder units. The subsidy can reach up to Rs. 25 lakhs for poultry farms, Rs. 50 lakhs for sheep & goat multiplication units, Rs. 30 lakhs for piggery breed multiplication activities, and Rs. 50 lakhs for feed & fodder units.

Director, DAHD, Govt. of India, Sarbeswar Majhi, emphasized the importance of creating awareness about the National Livestock Mission in Odisha to support entrepreneurial endeavors in the livestock sector. The Convener of the State Level Bankers Committee, Goutam Patra, assured that banks would support entrepreneurs through credit linkage for the establishment of animal husbandry units.

Dr. Anirban Guha, Assistant Commissioner, DAHD, Govt. of India, focused on creating awareness among livestock entrepreneurs to avail assistance under NLM. The workshop included presentations, question-answer sessions, and valuable insights from entrepreneurs, bankers, government officers, and Chief District Veterinary Officers.

The workshop serves as a platform to enlighten participants about the government’s support for livestock entrepreneurship and promotes collaboration between stakeholders to achieve the goal of entrepreneurship development in the livestock sector.